New location, same cinnamon butter
Texas Roadhouse projected to open July 18 in larger building in Texarkana New sports restaurant Bubba’s 33 to start serving in June
TEXARKANA, Texas — A popular restaurant franchise and its sister eatery are set to open within a month of each other near Summerhill Road — creating more than 200 jobs along the way.
Texas Roadhouse, which has been at 4002 St. Michael Drive since it opened in 1993, aims to welcome customers July 18 at 2041 Mall Drive, said Kerry Nienkamp, a managing partner along with husband Jeremy. The current location is projected to close July 14.
Bubba’s 33, the new kid on the chopping block, will open June 10 at the same 5-acre site, managing partner Cody Hildebrand said. Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the sports-themed restaurant at 2045 Mall Drive.
“We are looking for around 190 team members to join our restaurant,” said Hildebrand, adding that hiring will begin the first week of April.
Applicants can apply online at bubbas33.com/careers. Hildebrand said walk-in applicants also will be accepted.
The Nienkamps intend to add 30 to 40 positions to their staff of about 170 Texas Roadhouse employees. Hiring is under way at becomearoadie.com.
Groundbreaking on the $6 million construction project was in fall 2023. For Texas Roadhouse, having a building with a larger dining area and bigger parking lot is a nod to a growing customer base.
Roadhouse has seen a 6% to 8% growth in sales so far this year over 2023, Jeremy said.
Last year, the restaurant had 489,000 guests. It is on track to surpass 520,000 this year at the current location — an average of about 10,000 guests a week, Jeremy said.
The Nienkamps suspect
the limited parking available at the current Roadhouse has stunted growth in sales and customers.
“We lose a lot of people for that reason. They can’t find a parking spot,” the couple said Wednesday.
In an earlier interview, they said the restaurant can lose between 500 to 600 reservations a week because of parking constraints.
However, the Roadhouse partners’ hopes are high over the new building. It will enlarge the restaurant’s footprint from about 8,500 square feet to roughly 10,000 square feet; have 89 tables (an increase of 19), about 350 seats and 400 parking spots; and feature a larger bar.
More room could translate into higher sales, according to Jeremy.
“I expect that to increase substantially when we get to the new building. There’s more parking, more space, more seats,” he said, adding it is possible for Roadhouse to see sales growth of 15% to 20%.
Another aspect of the new Texas Roadhouse location that excites the Nienkamps is a drive-through window and six dedicated parking spots for to-go orders.
Bubba’s 33 is a member of the Texas Roadhouse Inc. family of brands. While the eatery is billed as a family-friendly sports restaurant, Hildebrand said it is more than wall-to-wall TVS.
“We are true foodies who bring passion with every entrée,” he said.
Hildebrand said customers can expect a varied menu of scratch-made food, “right down to the sauces on our wings and dressings on our salads.” He spotlighted Bubba’s 33 hand-made cocktails, stone-baked pizza and halfpound burgers.
The Nienkamps said interest has been high in the Roadhouse relocation and the addition of Bubba’s 33.
“Reception has been fabulous,” Kerry said. “[Guests are] saying how excited they are. They can’t wait.”
Texas Roadhouse Inc. ended 2023 with $4.6 billion in revenue, an increase of about 15.4% over 2022.